Performed by actors from six countries around the world
A chilling adaptation of the literary existentialist classic in times of real-life global crisis

Some feedback from our audience after the performances in March:

“Eye-opening!”
“I like this version’s focus on universal humanity, which probably comes through much stronger because the actors are separated but together.”
“Unexpectedly experimental and reflective. I enjoyed it a lot! Thanks to all the artists for their efforts.”
“Perfectly choreographed…the creative use of split-screens takes full advantage of the format.”

A deadly plague strikes, no one in the city is immune, a large part of the population is wiped out. After the apocalypse, six survivors testify before a tribunal, each offering a different account of the life-and-death crisis. How do individuals and the community as a whole struggle for survival? Can life revert to what it was before?

Six actors from six countries across the world performed live online with live music in March this year; their starkly different living conditions displayed during the performance. The current worldwide pandemic adds an alarmingly keen sense of reality, crisis and relevance to this production.

The Plague premiered in London in 2017, written and directed by British playwright Neil Bartlett. This chillingly ruminative production is directed by award-winning Chinese director Wang Chong, founder of the leading avant-garde Théatre du Rêve Expérimental. Wang directed an online production of Waiting for Godot during the lockdown of Wuhan in 2020, which drew a massive 290,000 viewers.

The production has been filmed and can be viewed by purchasing a 24-hour pass (valid from 8pm on the selected day to 8pm the next day, HK time) from 25 to 31 May. For licensing reasons, it will be streamed in Hong Kong only.

The 49th HKAF also presents a Cantonese-language production of The Plague directed by local young director Chan Tai-yin and performed by five talented actresses. It is available for viewing online from 25 to 31 May. For details, please click here.

^{Performed in English with English and Chinese subtitles
Approx 1 hr 30 mins
Hong Kong Only
No refunds or exchanges of tickets}

Commissioned and produced by HKAF

after Albert Camus’s La Peste

Written by 
Neil Bartlett

Directed by 
Wang Chong

Performed by
Forbes Masson (UK) as Dr Rieux
Karine Teles (Brazil) as Rambert
Hashem Adnan (Lebanon) as Cottard
Simpho Mathenjwa (South Africa) as Grand
Sydney Zhao (China) as Tarrou
Henri Emond (US) as singer

Casting Consultant (UK)
Laura Donnelly CDG



Read the House Programme

The Plague (Cantonese version)

"Seeing Your Own Plague in Albert Camus’s The Plague" Artist Sharing

Jockey Club Local Creative Talents Series
Journey to the West Rewind/Women Like Us